357 mag for deer?

R

RoyP

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I am looking to get a revolver for next years deer hunting.I am thinking of getting a double action one but not sure what caliber.I know I could go with the 44 mag but the 357 seems to be offered in alot of different models and brands compared to the 44 mag
 
You could look at a S&W 686 6", it would be able to handle most decent loads for White tail. If you want to goe for some helllndamnationloudenboomer loads like corbons I would recommend a Ruger blackhawk. I personally really enjoy using my S&W mod 65 with 158 gr LSWC running just about 900fps.

I have started carrying a Taurus Tracker 4" in 45Colt, this is a great gun. It is the size of a K frame and holds 5 rounds. It is a nice utilitarian gun as is the 357 versions.
 
I think a 44 is far better for deer hunting, but if you are willing to keep shooting distances limited to about 50 yards and take broadside shots, then a 357 with bullets from 158 to 180 grains should be ok.
 
I would consider a .357 marginal for the size deer you have in New York. I would have a different opinion if you were talking Texas Hill Country deer that typically go 100-130 lbs. When hunting with a handgun, you have an ethical obligation to kill the animal quickly. Just about any revolver you find chambered in .357 will have a big brother model in .44 magnum and this is where you should be looking.
 
Using a scoped 6" .357 686 and 158 grain SWC's I have killed deer out to 125 yards with no problems. In most cases chest shots went straight thru with tissue expulsion.

If you can shoot, a six inch .357 is enough gun for any game east of the Mississippi. If you can not shoot there is not much future in anything larger.

Having said that when I pistol hunt these days I most often use a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt with 250 grain Nosler SJHP's. I limit my distances to 50 yards or less.

I have never failed to recover a deer to either combo.
 
Roy P,


I have used both .357 and .44, I have killed deer with both. However, if I was limited to one, it would be the .44 hands down!
If you are buying now for the first time, buy a .44 for hunting deer sized game and above. You won't find yourself sitting in the woods thinking, " I should have bought the .44 Mag."

I would strongly recommend a Ruger Super Redhawk or Super Blackhawk Hunter, both have integral scope mounts and come with rings.


Marshall :)
 
.357 magnum is plenty for dear, and can even work on black bear if you chose the right load (preferably 180 or 200 grain bullet).


There is the following effective loads:

Georgia Arms Deerstopper (158 grains @1450 fps)

Cor Bon 180 grain @ 1285 fps (from a 4" barrel)

Cor Bon 200 grain penetrator @ 1200 fps (from a 4" barrel)

I wouldn't shoot these hot loads in guns other than a Freedom Arms revolver, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Bisley, Ruger Redhawk (.357 version), or GP 100. The S&W 686 might be able to handle it as well, but I think the Rugers and Freedom Arms are more suited for the hotter loads mentioned above.

The great thing about a .357 is that you can load down to .38 special for practice, and .38's are super cheap in my area. .44 Special loadss, OTOH, tend to be nearly as expensive as .44 magnums! If you get a .357, get AT LEAST a 6" barrel. You will need good shot placement, since you are giving up some power to the bigger cartridges. The longer sight radius will get you better shot placement (if you do your part), and the longer barrel increases your bullet's velocity.


A good compromise round is the .41 magnum. It offers enough power to take most North American critters down, but doens't recoil as fiercly as a heavy .44 magnum load. The disadvantage of the .41 maggie is high price, and low availability.
 
Thanks for all the help so far.I think to clarify a little more.I plan to use this more when pushing woods rather than still hunting.Probably 30 yard shots at the most.More like a close range backup.I definitely will be shooting open sights.I used an encore pistol with a scope for the first time this year and needless to say I missed chances to shoot at 4 different deer because they were moving and I couldn't keep them in the scope long enough to get a shot.The encore was ok but the light rifle like trigger pull I found was difficult to manage with gloves on.
 
Have you considered a carbine lever gun? Great for fast shots in the woods. 18-20" bbl, available in .357 .44mag, .45colt and other handgun cartridges, including some great brush gun rifle rounds like .35rem, 30-30 etc.
 
I'm not opponet of the 357 for deer (dad used one succesfully for years) but I'm not sure it's up to what your wanting to do. 357 works, but normally works best if you're very carefull with shot placement. Shooting at running deer with pistol is not conducive to this for 99.9% of us.

Might want to consider a lower powered wider field of vision scope for your rifle. Considered a Marlin Guide Gun 45/70 with ashley ghost ring sights???
 
Where I live in New York its shotgun,pistol or muzzleloader only.I plan to use a shotgun for the most part but some of the areas I hunt,its a little difficult to carry a shotgun through.I missed one buck that was 15 feet still in his bed because all I could see was brown but could tell which part of the deer I was looking at.I want a revolver mainly to have a second shot without having to reload like the encore.If the 44 mag is the way to go then I guess thats what I will buy.I wasn't sure about the 357 thtas why I asked.I figured it was a"magnum"caliber but thats all I knew about it.
 
Thanks for all the help so far.I think to clarify a little more.I plan to use this more when pushing woods rather than still hunting.Probably 30 yard shots at the most.More like a close range backup.I definitely will be shooting open sights.I used an encore pistol with a scope for the first time this year and needless to say I missed chances to shoot at 4 different deer because they were moving and I couldn't keep them in the scope long enough to get a shot.
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Having reviewed your last response I would agree that a light carbine would be your best choice. Some fantatic deals out there now on lever actions in 30-30 and the pistol cartridges. The .35 Remington is like a .357 super magnum and is one of the finest of the lever action crop.
Also take a look at the Ruger .44 magnum semiautos both old and new style. I have used a Winchester Model 100 in .284 for many years on identical applications. I consider it the ideal rifle for deer drives. It gives power levels close to the .280/.270/.30-06/.308 family in a light weight semiauto carbine. With a set of ghost ring sights installed shots on running deer are somewhat easier than the tiny sights found on most lever actions.
Most of all you need to practice shooting a moving target. It is a different ball game than still shots. But you already know that.
 
I think a 6" or longer .357 is just fine fro th ewhitetails we have here in Wisconsin. My Python has always done a pretty darn good job.
 
then its a lock

Go with a 4" 629 or a 5.5 inch redhawk. If you want an SA gun then a 5.5 " 44 mag blackhawk. All will do what you want and hit with more authority than a 357. for moving shots the larger more hardhitting caliber is best in case of a not so perfect shot. :cool:
 
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